7 
A few sticks of wood and the ashes and brands from a fire, showed that 
parties had camped there. It affords good protection from the 
weather, equalling an open camp, for a hunter, but the thought of 
what my chances would be if the massive roof should fall, was enough 
to prevent me from especially desiring to spend a night beneath it. 
Meteorology. 
Ktaadn is the residence of the Indian Pamela or Big Devil, and they 
have many traditions of his doings. It is not strange that they 
should have these fables as the mountain is the birthplace of storms. 
One writer who has witnessed a thunder storm here says 'that the 
lightning flashes were terriffie, and the roar of thunder reverbrating 
from side to side of the basin filled one with awe. Ktaadn is 
commonly cloud capped when all around is bright and clear. Often the 
coolness on the top is sufficient to precipitate moisture^and showers 
are of frsequent occurrence as the condition of the fuel will testify. 
I camped for three days on the north side near the timber line, and 
even the dead standing trees were so wet that it was not easy to keep 
a fire. I have further evidences of showers on the mountain when 
below it is clear, as I spent one cold, wet, dreary and sleepless 
night there when six miles from the base of the mountain, as I learned 
the next day, there was no rain. One day in particular I remember, 
clouds were forming on the mountain top, while the sun shone out of a 
clear sky. At times a vista would open for a moment and one could 
catch a glimpse of some lake or stream, 
then it would close up again 
